CO2 concentration correcting apparatus and CO2 concentration correcting method

ABSTRACT

Hourly CO 2  concentration, amount of solar radiation, and plant distribution information are calculated through observation from predetermined satellites. A concentration of CO 2  absorbed by plant-chlorophyll per each time unit is calculated. By adding up the CO 2  concentration on the earth and the concentration of CO 2  absorbed by the plant-chlorophyll, a CO 2  concentration obtained provided that no plant-chlorophyll exist is calculated for a certain period. Thereafter, a mean concentration of CO 2  that is absorbed according to changes in the distribution of plant-chlorophyll is calculated on the basis of a monthly mean solar radiation amount and plant-chlorophyll distribution information. By subtracting the CO 2  concentration, which is a mean, from the total CO 2  concentration, a CO 2  concentration, which is a normal, is calculated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/JP2008/050546, filed on Jan. 17, 2008, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The embodiment discussed herein is directed to a CO₂ concentrationcorrecting apparatus and a CO₂ concentration correcting method.

BACKGROUND

Global warming with its increase in CO₂ levels has become a socialissue. Thus, it is necessary to reduce CO₂ emissions and reduceexcessive emitted CO₂ through green campaigns, for example, plantingplants. For this reason, objectives have been established to accuratelyunderstand the latest distribution of CO₂, plants that absorb CO₂ byphotosynthesis, and the distribution of chlorophyll.

Conventionally, the amount of CO₂ is directly observed by instrumentswith which, for example, aircraft are equipped. However, because theobserved values obtained by the instruments through their measurementsis information limited to a specific point, the spatial actual amountand the distribution of chlorophyll cannot be uniformly understood.Thus, the amount of CO₂ on the earth cannot be accurately known.Therefore, a definite policy of green schemes cannot be established andonly limited measurements have been taken for in regions wheretree-planting can be carried out.

However, the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) and the USOrbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), which can observe the CO₂concentration on the earth, have been developed in recent years.Observations by the GOSAT and OCO allow us to know the distribution ofCO₂. Accordingly, global distribution data on the CO₂ concentrations canbe obtained.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses, as conventional technologiesrelated to the concentration distribution of CO₂, a planting supportsystem that can carry out appropriate planting schemes in considerationof the chronological changes of plants by calculating the amount of CO₂in the atmosphere in accordance with planting with regard to each typeof plant.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-12345

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Conventionally, CO₂ concentration is observed by the GOSAT and theobserved CO₂ concentration is regarded as the CO₂ concentration on theearth. However, there is a problem in that the data that is obtained bythe GOSAT through observations is not the value of the CO₂ concentrationfor the normal weather. In other words, for the value of the CO₂concentration that is used as a CO₂ reduction target value, it isnecessary to consider the effects from plants and chlorophyll thatabsorb CO₂ by photosynthesis. However, the current methods do notconsider such effects.

In other words, effects from the weather on the CO₂ that plants andchlorophyll absorb are not considered for the value of the CO₂concentration observed by these satellites. There is a problem in that,although there are seasonal variations and daily variations in theamount of absorbed CO₂ according to the activities of vegetationaccording to changes in the amount of solar radiation, corrections arenot made for those variations and changes. Specifically, for example,when there are a lot of sunny days (a large amount of solar radiation)and plants actively photosynthesize, a smaller amount of CO₂ is observedcompared to a year with a lot of cloudy days.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the invention, an apparatusincludes an observed CO₂ amount storage unit (14) that stores anobserved CO₂ amount that is an amount of CO₂ that is observed in anobservation region; a plant-chlorophyll distribution information storageunit (11) that stores plant-chlorophyll distribution information ondistribution of plant-chlorophyll in the observation region; a solarradiation amount storage unit (13) that stores an amount of solarradiation in the observation region; an absorbed CO₂ amount calculatingunit that calculates an absorbed CO₂ amount that is an amount of CO₂that is absorbed by the plant-chlorophyll on the basis of theplant-chlorophyll distribution information and the amount of solarradiation; a total CO₂ amount calculating unit that calculates a totalCO₂ amount by adding up the observed CO₂ amount and the absorbed CO₂amount; an average solar radiation amount storage unit that stores anaverage solar radiation amount in the observation region; an averageabsorbed CO₂ amount calculating unit that calculates an average absorbedCO₂ amount that is an average amount of CO₂ that is absorbed byplant-chlorophyll when a solar radiation amount is the average solarradiation amount; and a corrected CO₂ amount calculating unit thatcalculates a corrected CO₂ amount by subtracting the average absorbedCO₂ amount from the total CO₂ amount.

The object and advantages of the embodiment will be realized andattained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointedout in the claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the embodiment, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram representing an overview and featuresof a CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view explaining an example of a processprocedure of the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration of the CO₂ concentrationcorrecting apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining an observation region of the GOSAT andMTSAT and a region of calculation of the amount of solar radiation;

FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the relation between the time ofobservation by the GOSAT in predetermined lattice coordinates, theamount of solar radiation at the coordinates, and the amount of CO₂absorbed by plants and chlorophyll;

FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining transition of the CO₂ concentration withprogress in time; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the process procedure of the CO₂concentration correcting apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of a CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus, a CO₂concentration correcting method, and a CO₂ concentration correctingprogram according to the present invention will be explained below withreference to the accompanying drawings. Explanations of an overview of aplurality of observation satellites that are used in the embodiments, ofan overview and features of a CO₂ concentration correcting apparatusaccording to a first embodiment, of an overview of a process of the CO₂concentration correcting apparatus, for a configuration of the CO₂concentration correcting apparatus, and of a flow of the process of theCO₂ concentration correcting apparatus will be provided in the sequencethey appear in this sentence, and explanations of the effects from thefirst embodiment will be provided last.

Explanation of Overview of Observation Satellites

A CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus 1 illustrated in the firstembedment receives observation information (a CO₂ concentration, anamount of solar radiation, a distribution amount of plants, and adistribution amount of chlorophyll) and corrects the CO₂ concentrationon the basis of the observation information. First, an overview of theobservation satellites will be given.

The Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) is a greenhouse gasobservation technology satellite that is a satellite that observes theCO₂ concentration on the earth. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) isa US CO₂ observation satellite that can observe the CO₂ concentration asthe GOSAT can.

The NOAA satellite is a satellite that was launched by the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA satellite canobtain data on vegetation (vegetation index SR) on the earth throughobservation.

The Multi-functional Transport Satellites (MTSAT) are transportationmulti-purpose satellites that observe the amount of solar radiation onthe basis of the distribution of clouds over the earth. Besides usingMTSAT, the amount of solar radiation can be estimated from data from theGeostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), which are USstationary weather satellites and the Metrology Satellites (METEOSAT),which are European weather satellites.

Aqua is an US earth observation satellite for observing, from space,various physical quantities (environmental data) relating to thecirculation of water and energy and for integrally examining mutualinteractions between the atmosphere, the ocean, and continents andeffects thereof on changes in the earth system. Aqua is equipped with aMODIS sensor and observes the amount of chlorophyll using the MODISsensor. Chlorophyll is a plant microorganism. Chlorophyll exists nearthe ocean surface of the earth and absorbs CO₂ by photosynthesis. Theabsorbance of CO₂ by chlorophyll influences the water temperature of theocean surface and the amount of salt on the ocean surface.

Overview and Features of Co₂ Concentration Correcting Apparatus

The overview and features of the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatusaccording to the first embodiment will be explained below with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview andfeatures of the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus according to thefirst embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining the overview ofprocesses performed by the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the overview of the CO₂ concentrationcorrecting apparatus represented in the first embodiment is that data onthe CO₂ concentration, which is observed by the GOSAT and OCO, iscorrected by considering vegetation data, the distribution of the amountof photosynthesis by chlorophyll, and changes in the amount of solarradiation on the basis of CO₂ concentration data, the amount of solarradiation, vegetation data (vegetation index SR), which is thedistribution of plants, and the chlorophyll concentration that areobtained by a plurality of observation satellites (GOSAT, OCO, MTSAT,NOAA satellite, and Aqua) through their observations.

Specifically, the observation satellites obtain a high-resolution solarradiation value, a vegetation index, and a chlorophyll distribution overa wide range, and yearly deviations of the CO₂ concentration arecorrected (evaluation by combining physical quantities that are acquiredfrom the observation satellites is performed) to obtain a CO₂concentration distribution without the effects from yearly climatechanges. As described above, the amount of CO₂ that is absorbed by plantphotosynthesis and chlorophyll photosynthesis according to changes inthe amount of solar radiation due to yearly variations in weather is notconsidered for the conventional data on CO₂ concentration on the earth.The main features of the first embodiment are that the CO₂ concentrationis corrected in a manner that the CO₂ concentration, which is observedby the GOSAT, is acquired and variations in the amount of CO₂, which isabsorbed by the activities of vegetation, and variations in the amountof CO₂, which is absorbed by the activities of chlorophyll according tochanges in the amount of solar radiation, with changes in the amount ofsolar radiation are calculated.

Planting plants, which photosynthesize actively, in regions where theCO₂ concentration is high and the amount of solar radiation is large andsupplying the sea with iron where the chlorophyll concentration is highare effective methods to reduce excessive CO₂ on the earth. To do so, itis necessary to acquire accurate values of the CO₂ concentration, and itis desirable that changes in the amount of solar radiation that differyearly have no effect on the observed values.

Because the CO₂ concentration is increasing year by year, even ifmeasured values from the GOSAT in the past three years are averaged,data that can be dealt with as a normal cannot be obtained. However, inthe first embodiment, a CO₂ concentration value according to a normalsolar radiation amount (climate value) can be calculated by calculatingthe CO₂ concentration (total CO₂ data D) obtained provided that noplants exist and by then incorporating the amount of photosynthesis thatis calculated on the basis an amount of solar radiation, which is anormal (for example, a mean of the amount of solar radiation in the pastthree years), into the calculated CO₂ concentration.

A correcting process of the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatusaccording to the first embodiment will be explained below with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, first, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,observation data on the CO₂ concentration that is measured by the GOSATand data on the CO₂ concentration distribution on the earth, which isestimated by the OCO, are acquired and the data is stored as CO₂concentration data A (see (1) in FIGS. 1 and 2).

MTSAT observes the amount of solar radiation per hour (hourly) in a day.Solar radiation amount data is acquired from image data that representsthe amount of solar radiation, which is observed by MTSAT, and the solarradiation amount data is stored (see (2) in FIGS. 1 and 2). The solarradiation amount data that is obtained by MTSAT through observations isimage data that is obtained per hour in each predetermined region on theearth (each predetermined lattice).

The NOAA satellite obtains vegetation data on plants on the earththrough observations. The vegetation data (vegetation index SR) isacquired, and the vegetation index SR is stored (see (3) in FIGS. 1 and2). The vegetation data (the vegetation index SR) that is obtained bythe NOAA satellite through observations is image data of a monthly meanthat is acquired from each predetermined region on the earth (eachpredetermined lattice).

Aqua observes the amount of chlorophyll in the ocean. The observedamount of chlorophyll is acquired and stored (see (4) in FIGS. 1 and 2).Aqua observes the amount of chlorophyll twice a day. Data on chlorophyllthat is observed by Aqua is image data of a monthly mean that isacquired from each predetermined region on the earth (each predeterminedlattice).

The amount of CO₂ (NEP value) absorbed by photosynthesis according tothe vegetation distribution of plants is calculated on the basis of thevegetation data (vegetation index SR), which is obtained by the NOAAsatellite through observations, and hourly solar radiation amount data.The calculated NEP value is stored as a plant absorption amount B (see(5) in FIGS. 1 and 2). In other words, the NEP value concerning plantsis a net ecosystem production (the amount of absorption of CO₂concentration) based on the vegetation data, which is obtained from thehourly solar radiation amount data. Specifically, the NEP valueconcerning plants is a numerical value that represents how much CO₂ (gC)is absorbed in a predetermined region in a region of 1 m²) per month.For example, it is observed that, while the NEP value that is observedin forests in Hokkaido is close to 0 from October to April where thetemperature is relatively low, it increases to 230 (gC/m²/month) inJune.

The amount of absorbed CO₂ (NEP value) according to changes (transition)in chlorophyll living in the ocean is calculated on the basis of theamount of chlorophyll, which is obtained by Aqua through observations,and the hourly solar radiation amount data. The calculated NEP value isstored as a chlorophyll absorption amount C (see (6) in FIGS. 1 and 2).In other words, the NEP value concerning chlorophyll is the amount ofabsorption of CO₂ concentration according to the chlorophyllconcentration distribution, which is obtained from data on the amount ofsolar radiation, which is the normal.

Furthermore, the monthly mean of hourly solar radiation amount at leastin the past three years is calculated as a cumulative average solarradiation amount. The data on the calculated amount of solar radiationis stored as cumulative average solar radiation amount data (see (7) inFIGS. 1 and 2).

Total CO₂ data D is calculated from the CO₂ concentration on the earth(the CO₂ concentration data A) that is obtained by the GOSAT throughobservations, the plant absorption amount B due to photosynthesisaccording to the vegetation distribution of plants, which is an amountcalculated on the basis of the vegetation data (the vegetation index SR)and the hourly solar radiation amount data, and the chlorophyllabsorption amount C due to photosynthesis according to changes(transition) in the amount of chlorophyll, which is data calculated onthe basis of the amount of chlorophyll and the hourly solar radiationamount data (see (8) in FIGS. 1 and 2). Specifically, the total CO₂ dataD is obtained by adding up the CO₂ concentration data A, the plantabsorption amount B, and the chlorophyll absorption amount C (A+B+C=D).By performing these processes with respect to the past one month, astate is assumed where plants and chlorophyll all disappeared one monthbefore, and the CO₂ concentration in such a state is calculated.

In addition, photosynthesis amount distribution data is generated on thebasis of the data on vegetation on the earth (the vegetation index SR)and the cumulative average solar radiation amount (the hourly mean solarradiation amount data), which is the hourly mean of the amount of solarradiation in a month. The generated photosynthesis amount distributiondata is stored as global plant photosynthesis amount E concerning plants(see (9) in FIGS. 1 and 2). The global plant photosynthesis amount Econcerning plants is data that is accumulated hourly in eachpredetermined region on the earth (each predetermined lattice) for amonth.

Photosynthesis amount distribution data is generated on the basis of theamount of chlorophyll living in the ocean and the cumulative averagesolar radiation amount (hourly mean solar radiation amount data), whichis the hourly mean of the amount of solar radiation in a month. Thegenerated photosynthesis amount distribution data is stored as a globalchlorophyll photosynthesis amount F concerning chlorophyll (see (10) inFIGS. 1 and 2). Like the global plant photosynthesis amount E, theglobal chlorophyll photosynthesis amount F is data that is accumulatedhourly in each predetermined region the earth (each predeterminedlattice) for a month.

Difference data obtained by subtracting the global plant photosynthesisamount E and the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount F from thetotal CO₂ data D is calculated as CO₂ concentration G, which is a normal(D−E−F=G) (see (11) in FIGS. 1 and 2). In other words, the CO₂concentration G, which is the normal, is calculated as the net CO₂concentration on the earth. The CO₂ concentration, which is the normal,contains the value (280 ppmv) that can exist in nature. Therefore, bysubtracting 280 ppmv from the CO₂ concentration amount G, which is thenormal, a value is obtained as a reduction target CO₂ amount H. Thereduction target CO₂ amount H serves as the amount of CO₂ that serves asa target for reduction by additional tree planting.

Accordingly, the CO₂ concentration to be reduced is obtained and theideal vegetation distribution can be determined. Thus, vegetationschemes for CO₂ reduction can be embodied. In other words, an area wherethe reduction target CO₂ amount H is large is an area to which greencampaigns are carried out using plants (tree planting) or an area whereocean environmental improvement is made. Green campaigns fortree-planting or ocean environment improvement to cancel the differencewill be performed. Specifically, plants may be planted in regions wherethe amount of CO₂ is large. In the ocean, to increase the amount ofchlorophyll that absorbs CO₂ by photosynthesis, iron particles may bedispersed over the sea surface by, for example, an aircraft aftersufficient environmental assessment has been performed.

From the reduction target CO₂ amount H, prospective plants and treesthat should be planted on the earth and the size and number of theseplants and trees (per unit area) can be calculated by estimation inconsideration of the seasons and regions.

Configuration of Co₂ Concentration Correcting Apparatus 1

The configuration of the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus 1 willbe explained below with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagramof the configuration of the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatusaccording to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the CO₂concentration correcting apparatus 1 includes an input-output I/F unit2, a storage unit 10, a control unit 20, and an input-output controlunit 30.

The input-output I/F unit 2 controls input and output of observationdata obtained by the GOSAT, OCO, MTSAT, NOAA satellite, and Aqua throughobservations. The input-output control unit 30 controls data transferbetween the input-output I/F unit 2 and the storage unit 10 and betweenthe input-output I/F unit 2 and the control unit 20.

The storage unit 10 stores various types of data that is obtained by aplurality of satellites (GOSAT, OCO, MTSAT, NOAA satellite, and Aqua)through observations and data and programs necessary for variousprocesses performed by the control unit 20. The storage unit 10includes, particularly as those closely related to the presentinvention, a chlorophyll storage unit 11, a vegetation index storageunit 12, a solar radiation amount storage unit 13, a CO₂ concentrationstorage unit 14, a chlorophyll absorption amount storage unit 15, aplant absorption amount storage unit 16, a total CO₂ storage unit 17, aglobal chlorophyll photosynthesis amount storage unit 18, and a globalplant photosynthesis amount storage unit 19.

The control unit 20 includes an internal memory for storing controlprograms, such as an operation system (OS), programs that define variousprocess procedures, and necessary data. The control unit 20 includes,particularly as those closely related to the present invention, a CO₂calculating unit 21 (chlorophyll), a CO₂ calculating unit 22 (vegetationindex), a solar radiation amount calculating unit 23, a cumulativeaverage solar radiation amount calculating unit 23 a, a total CO₂concentration calculating unit 24, a global chlorophyll photosynthesisamount calculating unit 25, an global plant photosynthesis amountcalculating unit 26, a normal CO₂ concentration calculating unit 27, anda display unit 31.

The chlorophyll storage unit 11 acquires data on the amount ofchlorophyll on the earth, which is observed by Aqua. The chlorophyllamount data is stored with respect to each predetermined region on theearth (each predetermined lattice).

The vegetation index storage unit 12 acquires the data on vegetation onthe earth, which is observed by the NOAA satellite, (vegetation indexSR) and stores the vegetation data. The vegetation data is stored withrespect to each predetermined region on the earth (each predeterminedlattice).

The solar radiation amount storage unit 13 acquires the data on theamount of solar radiation on the earth, which is observed by MTSAT, andstores the data. The solar radiation amount data is stored per hour withrespect to each predetermined region on the earth (each predeterminedlattice). FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining the observation region of theGOSAT and MTSAT and the region of calculation of the amount of solarradiation. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the region surrounded by the largecircle represents the observation region of MTSAT and represents anobservation that is performed every 30 minutes. In addition, the shadedrange represents the observation region of the GOSAT over a certainobservation time period. The same point is observed once every threedays. The GOSAT orbits the earth 14 times a day and observes the shadedrange at 13:16 Japan local time.

In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the data on the amount ofsolar radiation, which is observed by MTSAT, is image data that isacquired hourly in the region of 0.0125 of a lattice located between60-degrees north latitude and 60-degrees south latitude (2400×2400pixels). As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image data on the amount of solarradiation is data acquired at a time that is the same as the local time(13:16) of the observation by the GOSAT.

The CO₂ concentration storage unit 14 stores data on the CO₂concentration that is observed by the GOSAT and OCO. The CO₂concentration that is stored in the CO₂ concentration storage unit 14 isdata that consists of a lattice resolution of about 80 km, which isobtained by the GOSAT through observations at the same point once everythree days (see FIG. 4).

The chlorophyll absorption amount storage unit 15 stores the amount ofCO₂ (NEP value) concerning chlorophyll, which is CO₂ absorbed accordingto changes (transition) in chlorophyll, which is an amount calculated bythe CO₂ calculating unit 21 on the basis of the amount of chlorophyllstored in the chlorophyll storage unit 11 and the solar radiation amountdata (hourly solar radiation amount) stored in the solar radiationamount storage unit 13.

The plant absorption amount storage unit 16 stores the amount of CO₂(NEP value) concerning plants, which is CO₂ absorbed according tochanges (transition) in the plant distribution, which is an amountcalculated by the CO₂ calculating unit 22 on the basis of the vegetationindex stored in the vegetation index storage unit 12 and the solarradiation amount data (hourly solar radiation amount) stored in thesolar radiation amount storage unit 13.

The total CO₂ storage unit 17 stores data calculated by the total CO₂concentration calculating unit 24 on the basis of the CO₂ concentrationdata, which is stored in the CO₂ concentration storage unit 14, the CO₂absorption amount that changes according to the transition in the plantdistribution, which is an amount stored in the plant absorption amountstorage unit 16, and the chlorophyll-related CO₂ absorption amount thatchanges according to the transition in the existence of chlorophyll,which is an amount stored in the chlorophyll absorption amount storageunit 15. Specifically, the stored data is a value obtained by adding upthe CO₂ concentration data, the CO₂ absorption amount based on the plantdata, and the amount of CO₂ absorbed by chlorophyll.

The global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount storage unit 18 stores datathat is calculated by the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amountcalculating unit 25 on the basis of the amount of chlorophyll, which isstored in the chlorophyll storage unit 11, and the amount of solarradiation, which is calculated by the cumulative average solar radiationamount calculating unit 23 a.

The global plant photosynthesis amount storage unit 19 stores data thatis calculated by the global plant photosynthesis amount calculating unit26 on the basis of the vegetation index, which is stored in thevegetation index storage unit 12, and the amount of solar radiation,which is calculated by the cumulative average solar radiation amountcalculating unit 23 a.

The CO₂ calculating unit 21 calculates the amount of CO₂ (NEP value)that is absorbed according to changes (transition) in chlorophyll on thebasis of the amount of chlorophyll, which is stored in the chlorophyllstorage unit 11, and the hourly solar radiation amount data, which isstored in the solar radiation amount storage unit 13.

Specifically, an ocean CO₂ partial pressure is calculated taking theocean temperature of the ocean surface on the earth and the climatevalue of the surface salinity into consideration for the chlorophyllconcentration, and thus the amount of CO₂ absorbed (NEP value ofchlorophyll) according to changes in chlorophyll is calculated. Notethat although the formula is omitted, the NEP value of chlorophyll canbe calculated by multiplying the CO₂ partial pressure by the normalratio of the hourly solar radiation amount data. The NEP value that iscalculated by the CO₂ calculating unit 21 is stored in the chlorophyllabsorption amount storage unit 15.

The CO₂ calculating unit 22 calculates the CO₂ concentration accordingto plants. Specifically, the amount of CO₂ (NEP value) absorbedaccording to changes (transition) in plants is calculated on the basisof the plant data, which is stored in the vegetation index storage unit12, and the hourly solar radiation amount data, which is stored in thesolar radiation amount storage unit 13. The CO₂ calculating unit 22calculates the amount of CO₂ (NEP value) absorbed by photosynthesisaccording to the vegetation distribution of plants on the basis of thevegetation index SR, which is obtained by the NOAA satellite throughobservations, and the hourly solar radiation amount data, which isstored in the solar radiation amount storage unit 13.

In other words, observation for vegetation data (the vegetation indexSR) by the NOAA satellite is performed twice a day. The vegetation datathat is observed by the NOAA satellite is image data that is obtained inthe region of each predetermined lattice. The vegetation index SR can beobtained on the basis of a reflectance (NIR) of an infrared sensor,which is mounted on the NOAA satellite, and a reflectance (VIS) ofvisible light (vegetation index SR=NIR/VIS).

The NEP value, which is used for the amount of absorbed CO₂ (balance)based on the vegetation index SR can be obtained as an approximate valueusing the vegetation index SR (simple ratio), the solar radiation normalratio, and the constant a from the following Equation 1 where the solarradiation normal ratio is the ratio of the momentary value to the normalof the amount of solar radiation (average in one hour) and a is 25. TheNEP value, which is calculated by the CO₂ calculating unit 22, is storedin the plant absorbance amount storage unit 16.

NEP=a(SR−1)×solar radiation normal ratio  (Equation 1)

The solar radiation amount calculating unit 23 acquires the amount ofsolar radiation, which is observed by MTSAT, to calculate hourly solarradiation amount data. The solar radiation amount data, which iscalculated by the solar radiation amount calculating unit 23, is storedin the solar radiation amount storage unit 13.

The cumulative average solar radiation amount calculating unit 23 acalculates, as the cumulative average solar radiation amount, the hourlymean of the amount of solar radiation in a month in the past threeyears. The solar radiation amount data, which is calculated by thecumulative average solar radiation amount calculating unit 23 a, isstored in the solar radiation amount storage unit 13.

The total CO₂ concentration calculating unit 24 adds up the CO₂concentration data, which is stored in the CO₂ concentration storageunit 14, the CO₂ absorption amount that changes according to transitionin the distribution of plants and that is stored in the plant absorptionamount storage unit 16, and the CO₂ absorption amount that changesaccording to transition in the existence of chlorophyll and that isstored in the chlorophyll absorption amount storage unit 15. The totalCO₂ concentration, which is calculated by the total CO₂ concentrationcalculating unit 24, is stored in the total CO₂ storage unit 17.

The amount of absorbed CO₂ that changes according to the amount of solarradiation and the transition in the distribution of plants and thetransition in the existence of chlorophyll are explained with referenceto FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining the relation between the time ofobservation by the GOSAT at predetermined lattice coordinates, theamount of solar radiation at the coordinates, and the amount of CO₂absorbed by plants and chlorophyll. The solid line in FIG. 5 representsa sunny day and a dashed line in FIG. 5 represents a cloudy day. Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the amount of CO₂ absorbed by plants andchlorophyll increases on a sunny day compared to a cloudy day and theamount of absorbed CO₂ increases around noon (12:00-13:00 hrs). Asillustrated in FIG. 5, the amount of absorbed CO₂ (NEP value)corresponding to the amount of solar radiation in the shaded portion iscalculated, and correcting by adding the NEP value to the data on theCO₂ concentration observed by the GOSAT is performed. Note that theamount of CO₂ absorbed by plants and chlorophyll is a value obtained byaccumulation from a month before.

The global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount calculating unit 25calculates the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount on the basis ofthe amount of chlorophyll, which is stored in the chlorophyll storageunit 11, and the amount of solar radiation, which is calculated by thecumulative average solar radiation amount calculating unit 23 a.Specifically, the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount, which iscalculated by the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount calculatingunit 25, is calculated as chlorophyll-related photosynthesis amountdistribution data from the solar radiation amount data (a mean in amonth) obtained by averaging the amounts for a predetermined number ofpast years (at least three past years) and the latest vegetation data (amean in a month). The chlorophyll-related photosynthesis amountdistribution data, which is calculated by the global chlorophyllphotosynthesis amount calculating unit 25, is stored in the globalchlorophyll photosynthesis amount storage unit 18.

The global plant photosynthesis amount calculating unit 26 calculatesthe global plant photosynthesis amount from the vegetation data, whichis stored in the vegetation index storage unit 12, and the amount ofsolar radiation (the vegetation index SR), which is calculated by thecumulative average solar radiation amount calculating unit 23 a.Specifically, the global plant photosynthesis amount, which iscalculated by the global plant photosynthesis amount calculating unit26, is calculated as plant-related photosynthesis amount distributiondata from the solar radiation amount data (a mean in a month) obtainedby averaging the amounts for a predetermined number of past years (threepast years) and the latest chlorophyll concentration. The photosynthesisdistribution data on plants, which is calculated by the global plantphotosynthesis amount calculating unit 26, is stored in the global plantphotosynthesis amount storage unit 19.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram representing the transition of CO₂ overtime variations. Specifically, the line chart a in FIG. 6 represents theyearly transition of CO₂ in a year where the amount of solar radiationfrom April to June, which is observed by the GOSAT, is larger than thatin a normal year. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the amount of solarradiation increases from April to June and the CO₂ concentrationdecreases chronologically because of photosynthesis by plants andchlorophyll.

The line chart b represents the yearly transition of CO₂ that isobtained by correcting the line chart a using the normal solar radiationamount. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the CO₂ concentration slightlyincreases, compared to the CO₂ concentration in the line chart a, suchthat that CO₂ concentration accords not with the amount of solarradiation in the year with a large amount of solar radiation but to thenormal solar radiation amount. The line chart c represents the yearlytransition of CO₂ in the case where no plant and no chlorophyll exist onthe earth. As illustrated in the line chart c, the CO₂ concentrationincreases as time progresses. The line chart d represents the transitionin the CO₂ concentration that is corrected using the normal solarradiation amount in a year where the amount of solar radiation fromApril to June is smaller than that in a normal year.

The normal CO₂ concentration calculating unit 27 calculates the CO₂concentration from the total CO₂ concentration, which is stored in thetotal CO₂ storage unit 17, the amount of chlorophyll, which is stored inthe global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount storage unit 18, and thevegetation index, which is stored in the global plant photosynthesisamount storage unit 19, and stored as a normal CO₂ concentration storageunit 28.

The display unit 31 includes a display or a monitor that displaysvarious types of information. For example, the display unit 31 displaysobservation data, which is obtained by each satellite, such as theGOSAT, MTSAT, NOAA satellite, and Aqua, through their observations withrespect to each predetermined region on the earth (each predeterminedlattice). The effects from the distribution of plants and of chlorophyllcan be visually confirmed using the image data that is displayed on thedisplay unit 31. In addition, effects from green campaigns can bevisually confirmed.

Overall Process Procedure of Co₂ Concentration Correcting Apparatus 1

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an overall process procedure of the CO₂concentration correcting apparatus 1. Specifically, as the flowchart inFIG. 7 illustrates, it is determined whether it is hourly calculationtiming (per hour) of observation data from the observation satellites(step S1). When it is determined that it is hourly calculation timing(per hour) of the observation data from the observation satellites (YESat step S1), data obtained by each of the observation satellites (GOSAT,MTSAT, NOAA satellite, Aqua) through observation is acquired and amonthly mean chlorophyll amount and a vegetation index of plants, and anhourly solar radiation amount are calculated (step S2). Specifically,the chlorophyll amount, the plant data, and the solar radiation amountare observed respectively by Aqua, the NOAA satellite, and MTSAT andcalculated. Subsequently, the hourly total CO₂ concentration iscalculated (step S3).

In contrast, when it is determined that it is not hourly calculationtiming by determination at step S1 (NO at step S1), it is thendetermined whether one month has passed since a predetermined time (stepS4). When one month has passed since the predetermined time (YES at stepS4), hourly solar radiation amount average data is calculated (step S5),and the process goes back to step S1.

In contrast, when it is determined that one month has not passed sincethe predetermine time by determination at step S4, it is then determinedwhether it is monthly calculation timing (step S6). When it isdetermined that it is monthly calculation timing (YES at step S6) amonthly global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount F concerningchlorophyll and a global plant photosynthesis amount E concerning plantsare calculated (step S7).

As described above, the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount F iscalculated on the basis of the amount of chlorophyll, which is stored inthe chlorophyll storage unit 11, and the amount of solar radiation,which is calculated by the cumulative average solar radiation amountcalculating unit 23 a. The global plant photosynthesis amount E iscalculated on the basis of the vegetation index SR, which is stored inthe vegetation index storage unit 12, and the amount of solar radiation,which is calculated by the cumulative average solar radiation amountcalculating unit 23 a.

Subsequently, the amount of photosynthesis (the amount of CO₂ to bereduced) that should be increased as green campaigns is calculated onthe basis of the global chlorophyll photosynthesis amount informationand the global plant photosynthesis amount information that arecalculated at step S7 (step S8) and the process goes back to step S1. Asdescribed above, the CO₂ concentration G, which is the normal, iscalculated by calculating difference data that is obtained bysubtracting the global plant photosynthesis amount E and the globalchlorophyll photosynthesis amount F from the total CO₂ data D.

As described above, the CO₂ concentration correcting apparatus 1according to the present invention is configured to calculate an hourlyCO₂ concentration, an amount of solar radiation, and plant-chlorophylldistribution information from predetermined satellites throughobservation, calculate the concentration of CO₂ absorbed by plantshourly, calculate a total CO₂ concentration by adding up the CO₂concentration on the earth and the concentration of CO₂ that is absorbedby plant-chlorophyll, calculate, as a mean, a concentration of CO₂ thatis absorbed according to changes in the distribution of theplant-chlorophyll on the basis of a monthly mean solar radiation amountand the plant-chlorophyll distribution information, and performcorrection for calculating a normal CO₂ concentration by subtracting themean CO₂ concentration from the total CO₂ concentration. This correctsbias errors of the CO₂ concentration due to yearly variations in theweather. Accordingly, a CO₂ concentration with small errors resultingfrom the yearly weather variations can be estimated, which results ineffective green campaigns.

The distribution of CO₂ varies time to time because of the circulationof atmosphere. Provided that the source is almost the same, it can beassumed that the distribution of CO₂ is uniform in a time scale of aboutone month. Accordingly, monthly mean hourly distribution data can begenerated to obtain spatio-temporally uniform data. The monthly meanshifted day by day may be generated every day to incorporate the latestdata. It is desirable to use observation data that is notpatio-temporally averaged for the CO₂ concentration that incorporatesthe NEP value, which is estimated from the hourly solar radiation amountdata.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be construed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of suchexamples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority andinferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment of the presentinvention has been described in detail, it should be understood that thevarious changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus comprising: an observed CO₂ amount storage unit thatstores an observed CO₂ amount that is an amount of CO₂ that is observedin an observation region; a plant-chlorophyll distribution informationstorage unit that stores plant-chlorophyll distribution information ondistribution of plant-chlorophyll in the observation region; a solarradiation amount storage unit that stores an amount of solar radiationin the observation region; an absorbed CO₂ amount calculating unit thatcalculates an absorbed CO₂ amount that is an amount of CO₂ that isabsorbed by the plant-chlorophyll on the basis of the plant-chlorophylldistribution information and the amount of solar radiation; a total CO₂amount calculating unit that calculates a total CO₂ amount by adding upthe observed CO₂ amount and the absorbed CO₂ amount; an average solarradiation amount storage unit that stores an average solar radiationamount in the observation region; an average absorbed CO₂ amountcalculating unit that calculates an average absorbed CO₂ amount that isan average amount of CO₂ that is absorbed by plant-chlorophyll when asolar radiation amount is the average solar radiation amount; and acorrected CO₂ amount calculating unit that calculates a corrected CO₂amount by subtracting the average absorbed CO₂ amount from the total CO₂amount.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theplant-chlorophyll distribution information storage unit storesvegetation distribution information on plants on the ground orchlorophyll distribution information on chlorophyll in the ocean, orstores the vegetation distribution information and the chlorophylldistribution information.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe average solar radiation amount is an amount that is obtained byaveraging average solar radiation amounts in a predetermined periodincluding the time at which the observed CO₂ amount is observed in pastfew years.
 4. A method comprising: storing an observed CO₂ amount thatis an amount of CO₂ that is observed in an observation region; storingplant-chlorophyll distribution information on distribution ofplant-chlorophyll in the observation region; storing an amount of solarradiation in the observation region; calculating an absorbed CO₂ amountthat is an amount of CO₂ that is absorbed by the plant-chlorophyll onthe basis of the plant-chlorophyll distribution information and theamount of solar radiation; calculating a total CO₂ amount by adding upthe observed CO₂ amount and the absorbed CO₂ amount; storing an averagesolar radiation amount in the observation region; calculating an averageabsorbed CO₂ amount that is an average amount of CO₂ that is absorbed byplant-chlorophyll when a solar radiation amount is the average solarradiation amount; and calculating a corrected CO₂ amount by subtractingthe average absorbed CO₂ amount from the total CO₂ amount.
 5. The methodto claim 4, wherein the storing the plant-chlorophyll distributioninformation includes storing vegetation distribution information onplants on the ground or chlorophyll distribution information onchlorophyll in the ocean, or stores the vegetation distributioninformation and the chlorophyll distribution information.
 6. A computerreadable storage medium having stored therein a computer program causinga computer to execute a process comprising: storing an observed CO₂amount that is an amount of CO₂ that is observed in an observationregion; storing plant-chlorophyll distribution information ondistribution of plant-chlorophyll in the observation region; storing anamount of solar radiation in the observation region; calculating anabsorbed CO₂ amount that is an amount of CO₂ that is absorbed by theplant-chlorophyll on the basis of the plant-chlorophyll distributioninformation and the amount of solar radiation; calculating a total CO₂amount by adding up the observed CO₂ amount and the absorbed CO₂ amount;storing an average solar radiation amount in the observation region;calculating an average absorbed CO₂ amount that is an average amount ofCO₂ that is absorbed by plant-chlorophyll when a solar radiation amountis the average solar radiation amount; and calculating a corrected CO₂amount by subtracting the average absorbed CO₂ amount from the total CO₂amount.